Bryan Baeumler Opens Up About His Relief Work in Florida Following Hurricane Irma

October 5, 2017Bryan Baeumler

The devastation of Hurricane Irma has affected so many lives. The Caribbean islands and the state of Florida saw the worst of the damage, and as Florida is so close to me and my family, Sarah and I felt obliged to help out. While aware that our help could only make a small dent in the massive task of cleaning up and rebuilding, we still wanted to do all we could to assist.

Bryan Baeumler Opens Up About His Relief Work in Florida Following Hurricane Irma

October 5, 2017 Bryan Baeumler

The devastation of Hurricane Irma has affected so many lives. The Caribbean islands and the state of Florida saw the worst of the damage, and as Florida is so close to me and my family, Sarah and I felt obliged to help out. While aware that our help could only make a small dent in the massive task of cleaning up and rebuilding, we still wanted to do all we could to assist.

Helping Hands

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Helping Hands

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Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

The response to our request for donations was incredible! We had rows of skids packed with tools, food, water, diapers and shelter materials. It was a humbling experience to see how businesses jumped to it when we suggested this relief expedition. Thank you to everyone who helped – it didn’t go unnoticed.

Bryan BaeumlerBryan Baeumler Opens Up About His Relief Work in Florida Following Hurricane Irma

Helping Hands

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The response to our request for donations was incredible! We had rows of skids packed with tools, food, water, diapers and shelter materials. It was a humbling experience to see how businesses jumped to it when we suggested this relief expedition. Thank you to everyone who helped – it didn’t go unnoticed.

Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

Loading Up

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Loading Up

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Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

After spending a few hours loading the supplies with help from a number of volunteers, the 54-foot truck was ready to make the long journey to Florida. Sarah and I were on hand to help organize and fit as much as we could into the truck. We didn’t want to leave anything behind.

Bryan BaeumlerBryan Baeumler Opens Up About His Relief Work in Florida Following Hurricane Irma

Loading Up

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After spending a few hours loading the supplies with help from a number of volunteers, the 54-foot truck was ready to make the long journey to Florida. Sarah and I were on hand to help organize and fit as much as we could into the truck. We didn’t want to leave anything behind.

Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

Team Effort

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Team Effort

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Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

These were our excellent volunteers on the Ontario end. The importance of having them assist during the relief process goes without saying – but having good people to help others in a time of crisis is what makes our society so incredible. Thank you, team!

Bryan BaeumlerBryan Baeumler Opens Up About His Relief Work in Florida Following Hurricane Irma

Team Effort

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These were our excellent volunteers on the Ontario end. The importance of having them assist during the relief process goes without saying – but having good people to help others in a time of crisis is what makes our society so incredible. Thank you, team!

Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

Damage Done

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Damage Done

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Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

After the long journey down, we were hit by the level of devastation in the Florida Keys area. These pictures only provide an idea of the damage done – they do not display the emotional distress the residents we spoke to experienced and are still dealing with. This was hard for us to take in; I still don’t think it has, and I was just a bystander.

Bryan BaeumlerBryan Baeumler Opens Up About His Relief Work in Florida Following Hurricane Irma

Damage Done

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After the long journey down, we were hit by the level of devastation in the Florida Keys area. These pictures only provide an idea of the damage done – they do not display the emotional distress the residents we spoke to experienced and are still dealing with. This was hard for us to take in; I still don’t think it has, and I was just a bystander.

Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

Reaching Out

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Reaching Out

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Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

The area had really been turned upside down. The water was dotted with abandoned boats and debris. A paradise blighted by Mother Nature. We did our best to assist those who had lost so much, and they were so appreciative. The task seemed hopeless, but we tried to stay upbeat for those who needed a welcome lift.

Bryan BaeumlerBryan Baeumler Opens Up About His Relief Work in Florida Following Hurricane Irma

Reaching Out

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The area had really been turned upside down. The water was dotted with abandoned boats and debris. A paradise blighted by Mother Nature. We did our best to assist those who had lost so much, and they were so appreciative. The task seemed hopeless, but we tried to stay upbeat for those who needed a welcome lift.

Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

Abandoned Homes

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Abandoned Homes

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Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

The number of properties that had been torn apart is difficult to imagine. True, this is just bricks and mortar, but what I couldn’t help thinking about was the emotional attachment we have to our homes. These four walls are filled with love, kindness and great memories. Luckily a hurricane can’t take that away from us, but to see your home in this state must be heartbreaking.

Bryan BaeumlerBryan Baeumler Opens Up About His Relief Work in Florida Following Hurricane Irma

Abandoned Homes

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The number of properties that had been torn apart is difficult to imagine. True, this is just bricks and mortar, but what I couldn’t help thinking about was the emotional attachment we have to our homes. These four walls are filled with love, kindness and great memories. Luckily a hurricane can’t take that away from us, but to see your home in this state must be heartbreaking.

Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

Waste Control

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Waste Control

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Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

These pictures do not explain the stench when we arrived. The hurricane tore through the area, taking with it all the waste hanging around. But what really stood out was the smell of dead marine life. Obviously our focus was on the people affected, but it was sad to see the amount of sea life killed in the storm.

Bryan BaeumlerBryan Baeumler Opens Up About His Relief Work in Florida Following Hurricane Irma

Waste Control

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These pictures do not explain the stench when we arrived. The hurricane tore through the area, taking with it all the waste hanging around. But what really stood out was the smell of dead marine life. Obviously our focus was on the people affected, but it was sad to see the amount of sea life killed in the storm.

Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

Calm Moment

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Calm Moment

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Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

The calm after the storm. Although these moments of serenity weren’t the focus of the trip, these scenes brought everyone a sense of promise. Mother Nature can give and take, but the beauty she does provide can give us all hope.

Bryan BaeumlerBryan Baeumler Opens Up About His Relief Work in Florida Following Hurricane Irma

Calm Moment

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The calm after the storm. Although these moments of serenity weren’t the focus of the trip, these scenes brought everyone a sense of promise. Mother Nature can give and take, but the beauty she does provide can give us all hope.

Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

Supplies Arrive

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Supplies Arrive

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Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

After a long trip down, the truck finally made it and we were ready. We had met so many people who were desperate for the basics, and we were so excited to provide them with the donations. Thank you to the driver for making the journey.

Bryan BaeumlerBryan Baeumler Opens Up About His Relief Work in Florida Following Hurricane Irma

Supplies Arrive

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After a long trip down, the truck finally made it and we were ready. We had met so many people who were desperate for the basics, and we were so excited to provide them with the donations. Thank you to the driver for making the journey.

Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

Support Team

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Support Team

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Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

We had a team of volunteers on hand at the Florida end of this expedition, and they were so focused on getting these products to the right place. It took us six hours to unload the truck and organize the supplies, yet it felt like no time whatsoever and our steps were light with excitement.

Bryan BaeumlerBryan Baeumler Opens Up About His Relief Work in Florida Following Hurricane Irma

Support Team

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We had a team of volunteers on hand at the Florida end of this expedition, and they were so focused on getting these products to the right place. It took us six hours to unload the truck and organize the supplies, yet it felt like no time whatsoever and our steps were light with excitement.

Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

Buckled Up

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Buckled Up

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Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

Playing with machinery and helping people out – my perfect day! This beast helped get those skids off as quickly as possible. I feel slightly guilty, as I did enjoy this part a lot, but my focus was on those who needed the donations.

Bryan BaeumlerBryan Baeumler Opens Up About His Relief Work in Florida Following Hurricane Irma

Buckled Up

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Playing with machinery and helping people out – my perfect day! This beast helped get those skids off as quickly as possible. I feel slightly guilty, as I did enjoy this part a lot, but my focus was on those who needed the donations.

Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

Florida Crew

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Florida Crew

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Photo Credit: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler

Here is the Florida volunteer gang. You guys were awesome! There are so many thank-yous that I would like to offer, but what was clear throughout the entire process is that we are a better human race when we work together to help each other. None of us know what will happen tomorrow or the day after, but if we attempt to traverse this life together, we will ultimately win.

Bryan BaeumlerBryan Baeumler Opens Up About His Relief Work in Florida Following Hurricane Irma

Florida Crew

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Here is the Florida volunteer gang. You guys were awesome! There are so many thank-yous that I would like to offer, but what was clear throughout the entire process is that we are a better human race when we work together to help each other. None of us know what will happen tomorrow or the day after, but if we attempt to traverse this life together, we will ultimately win.